Recipe: Pretty Green Butter Mints ๐
Description:
Lovely little buttery candies that will melt in your mouth, these Pretty Green Butter Mints are a delightful addition to any dessert table or holiday spread. Adapted from an issue of “Family Circle Holiday Cakes & Cookies,” this recipe promises a burst of sweet flavor with every bite. If you don’t have red hots candies, feel free to use another small bead-shaped candy decoration instead.
- Category: Candy
- Keywords: Dessert, Christmas, < 60 Mins, For Large Groups, No Cook, Easy
- Servings: 48 mints
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sweet unsalted butter
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon extract (peppermint, spearmint, or your preferred flavor)
- A few drops of green food coloring
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beat butter until creamy: In a mixing bowl, beat the sweet unsalted butter until creamy using a handheld or stand mixer. This step ensures a smooth texture for your mints. |
| 2 | Beat in sugar until blended completely: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the creamy butter, beating until fully incorporated. This will create a sweet and smooth mixture for your mints. |
| 3 | Add the cream, extract, and food coloring: Pour in the heavy cream, extract, and a few drops of green food coloring to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until the color is evenly distributed, tinting the mixture a pale pastel green. |
| 4 | Beat until well combined: Continue beating the mixture until all ingredients are well combined and the color is uniform throughout. This ensures that your mints have a consistent flavor and appearance. |
| 5 | DO NOT CHILL! It’s important not to chill the mixture as it needs to be soft enough to press through a cookie press. Chilling may make it too firm to work with. |
| 6 | Load the cookie press: Prepare a cookie press fitted with a star tip. Depending on the size of your press, you may need to work in batches. |
| 7 | Press star shapes onto waxed paper: Pipe the butter mint mixture onto waxed paper in star shapes. Ensure that there is enough space between each mint to prevent them from sticking together. |
| 8 | Let stand for 30 minutes: Allow the piped mints to stand for about 30 minutes to slightly firm up. This will help them hold their shape when adding the candy decoration. |
| 9 | Press a red hot candy into the center: After 30 minutes, gently press a red hot candy into the center of each mint star. This adds a pop of color and a hint of cinnamon flavor to the mints. |
| 10 | Let harden completely: Allow the mints to harden completely at room temperature. This may take a few hours, depending on the humidity level in your kitchen. |
| 11 | Store in an airtight container: Once hardened, transfer the Pretty Green Butter Mints to an airtight container. Store them in a cool place to maintain their freshness and texture. |
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 54.6
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3g
- Cholesterol: 5.5mg
- Sodium: 0.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 9.3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 9.2g
- Protein: 0g
Tips:
- Variety of Extracts: Experiment with different extracts to customize the flavor of your mints. Peppermint, spearmint, vanilla, almond, or even citrus extracts can add a unique twist.
- Decorative Options: If you prefer, you can use other small bead-shaped candy decorations instead of red hots. Get creative with colorful sprinkles, edible pearls, or miniature chocolate chips.
- Storage: To ensure freshness, store the mints in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. They can also be stored in the refrigerator for longer shelf life, but bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Enjoy these Pretty Green Butter Mints as a sweet treat for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to everyday indulgence!
